US states seek zero emission car strategy

Eight US states unveiled a jointly developed plan to push for more zero-emission cars within the next few years, with steps that include jointly harmonizing the incentives offered to buyers and further assisting fleet customers.

California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont announced that they want to push a total of more than three million zero-emission vehicles on their streets by the advent of the next decade.

The goal should be achieved through such measures like making new agreements for non-monetary encouragements, including carpool lane access and preferential parking for ZEVs, while also lobbying the federal government for extended incentives and tax breaks on electric and hydrogen fueled cars.

“Creating a strong and robust market for zero-emission vehicles is critically important to the success of clean-energy technologies,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. “This action plan will help develop the infrastructure and coordinated policies we need” to reach the goal of 3.3 million ZEVs by 2025.

According to Dave Clegern, a California Air Resources Board spokesman, the plan is in its early stages, so the report didn’t include such practical aspects like a timetable for the implementation of the proposed measures, nor did it break down necessary money amounts on each state.